Zero-carbon steel: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "Steel is valued for its strength and malleability when heated, and to make it, one needs pure iron and a small amount of carbon. Iron is abundant in the earth's crust, but it is typically combined with oxygen and other elements in iron ore. To produce steel, one must separate the oxygen from the iron and introduce a small amount of carbon. This is typically achieved by melting iron ore at high temperatures with a type of coal called coke, which releases carbon and allows...")
 
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Steel is valued for its strength and malleability when heated, and to make it, one needs pure iron and a small amount of carbon. Iron is abundant in the earth's crust, but it is typically combined with oxygen and other elements in iron ore. To produce steel, one must separate the oxygen from the iron and introduce a small amount of carbon. This is typically achieved by melting iron ore at high temperatures with a type of coal called coke, which releases carbon and allows some of it to bond with the iron. However, this process also produces a significant amount of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.


To address this issue, the green premium for "clean steel," which incorporates carbon capture to reduce emissions, currently adds 16-29% to the cost of production. To reduce this premium, we need to develop reliable sources of clean electricity, which already account for a quarter of the energy used in manufacturing worldwide. Electrification is another option, where electricity replaces fossil fuels in industrial processes such as steel making. For example, one approach involves using clean electricity instead of coal. Another promising technique, called molten oxide electrolysis, involves using electricity to break down iron oxide into pure iron and oxygen without producing carbon dioxide. However, these ideas have yet to be proven at an industrial scale.
Steel production is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions globally, with the sector accounting for around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are promising developments in the field of zero-carbon steel, which aims to produce steel without emitting carbon.


Recycling more steel alone is not sufficient to eradicate greenhouse gas emissions, although it can contribute. We should strive to recycle more materials and discover innovative methods to reduce the energy required for recycling. Furthermore, since reusing a product consumes significantly less energy than recycling it, we must also explore ways to construct and manufacture items using repurposed materials. In addition, we can design buildings and roads to minimize the utilization of steel, and in some situations, cross-laminated timber, which is composed of layers of timber glued together into a stack, is strong enough to serve as a substitute.
One promising approach to zero-carbon steel production involves using green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, as a reducing agent in the production process. This process, known as direct reduced iron (DRI) or sponge iron production, can significantly reduce carbon emissions from steel production. According to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), using green hydrogen in steel production could potentially reduce global carbon emissions by up to 5%.


Gates, Bill. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (p. 100-110). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.
Another approach to zero-carbon steel production is through electric arc furnaces (EAFs) that melt down recycled steel. EAFs are powered by electricity, which can be generated from renewable energy sources, making them a more sustainable option than traditional blast furnaces. According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute, electric steelmaking has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional steel production.
 
In addition to these approaches, there are other innovative technologies being developed to produce zero-carbon steel. One example is molten oxide electrolysis, which involves using electrolysis to produce steel directly from iron ore without the need for carbon. This process is still in the early stages of development but has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
 
Sources:
 
* International Energy Agency. (2021). Energy Technology Perspectives 2020. Paris: IEA.
* Rocky Mountain Institute. (2019). Catalyzing Clean Steel: Strategies to Accelerate Clean Energy Innovation in the Steel Industry. Basalt, CO: Rocky Mountain Institute.

Latest revision as of 16:31, 20 February 2023

Steel production is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions globally, with the sector accounting for around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are promising developments in the field of zero-carbon steel, which aims to produce steel without emitting carbon.

One promising approach to zero-carbon steel production involves using green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, as a reducing agent in the production process. This process, known as direct reduced iron (DRI) or sponge iron production, can significantly reduce carbon emissions from steel production. According to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), using green hydrogen in steel production could potentially reduce global carbon emissions by up to 5%.

Another approach to zero-carbon steel production is through electric arc furnaces (EAFs) that melt down recycled steel. EAFs are powered by electricity, which can be generated from renewable energy sources, making them a more sustainable option than traditional blast furnaces. According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute, electric steelmaking has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional steel production.

In addition to these approaches, there are other innovative technologies being developed to produce zero-carbon steel. One example is molten oxide electrolysis, which involves using electrolysis to produce steel directly from iron ore without the need for carbon. This process is still in the early stages of development but has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Sources:

  • International Energy Agency. (2021). Energy Technology Perspectives 2020. Paris: IEA.
  • Rocky Mountain Institute. (2019). Catalyzing Clean Steel: Strategies to Accelerate Clean Energy Innovation in the Steel Industry. Basalt, CO: Rocky Mountain Institute.
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